Activist decries Lagos govt for redeploying errant police officers

A Civil Rights Activist,
Mr Olu Omotayo has condemned in strong terms the decision of the Lagos State
Government to redeploy some policemen who reportedly trampled on the rights of
some innocent citizens in the state.

The Policemen attached to
the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences were said to
have embarked on illegal raids in different parts of the state on the second of
September.

According to Mr. Omotayo
who is also the President of Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network,
the attack was a grave violation of the citizens' human rights.

"Hundreds of innocent
Nigerians were roughly handled, beaten and forced into Black Maria vehicle and
taken to the office of the Lagos State Task Force where they were clamped into
dirty stinking detention centre". "They were made to pay various
amounts of money before they were granted bail" he said.

He however expressed
displeasure with the decision of the Lagos State government through its
Commissioner for Information to re- deploy the erring police officers,
describing it as reckless and unacceptable.

"We do not have
leaders in this country but rulers who are isolated from the yearnings and
feelings of the people" he stated.

He also noted that there
has been a grave infraction on the constitutional rights of the citizens of
this country by the actions of the officials of the Task Force.

He therefore called on the
Lagos State government to ensure that the police officers are made to face the
law which will serve as deterrent to others.